Chicago Fire Sign Goalkeeper Jorge Rodrigo Bava

CHICAGO(Jan. 7, 2017) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Saturday that the club has signed Jorge Rodrigo Bava as a Discovery Player. The Uruguayan goalkeeper has signed a one-year deal with club options for 2018 and 2019. Bava will be added to the Fire’s roster pending receipt of his ITC and P1 Visa.

“Bava is technically clean, comfortable off his line and a good organizer of the defense,” said general manager Nelson Rodríguez. “His skill set is complementary to that of Matt Lampson and we expect him to compete for playing time.”

Bava joins the Fire after appearing in 21 matches for Colombian Primera A side Atlético Bucaramanga in 2016.

Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Bava began his professional career with his hometown C.A. Progreso in 1998. Bava additionally represented Peñarol, Club Atlético Juventud de Las Piedras, Club Nacional de Football, Club Atlético Bella Vista in Uruguay.

Bava re-joined Nacional in 2003. In his second stint with the club, Bava appeared in 58 matches and led his side to the 2003 and 2004 Apertura titles. The 2005 Primera División champions, Nacional defended their title and won both legs of the championship against Rocha to take the Uruguayan crown for the 2005-06 season.

In 2007 Bava signed with Paraguayan side Club Libertad, where he appeared in 32 matches for the side through 2012. During his time in Paraguay, Bava appeared in 33 matches on loan to Liga MX’s Club Atlas in 2008 and six matches on loan to Argentina’s Rosario Central during the 2010-11 season.

Bava returned to Nacional for a third stint, appearing in 43 matches from 2012-15.

The 35-year-old appeared in one match for the Uruguayan Under-23 side during the 2004 Olympic Qualifying campaign.